District Matters

Preparing a future while dealing with the present

February 2024

The District Council is responsible for delivering an array of services. Every day it plays an important role in delivering functions such as planning, licensing, business support, environmental health, preventing homelessness, providing leisure facilities, waste collecting and much more. It also works in partnership with other organisations that have an impact on everyone's life.

Local Government is facing big challenges in the years ahead in response to improved IT, changing practices and reduced finances. We are anticipating the current reduced budgets for public services to continue in the next few years and must prepare. It is our task to develop robust plans – not only in terms of financial resilience, but in finding ways to reinvent, transform and improve the way local services are delivered to better serve our communities.

We must develop our vision of what the Council will look like in the future and adapt - whilst continuing to deliver excellent services to residents and businesses.

It is in this context that we have prepared for this year's budget. The Council recently invited the Local Government Association to do a Peer Review of the Planning Service. A Peer Review of the whole Council organisation will start in the next month. The aim of both reviews is to examine what the Council does well, learn about best practice and improve the delivery and effectiveness of Council services going forward.

The District Council's budget for the year ahead will be considered by The Cabinet on the 12th February and will take into account responses from the public consultation. A debate at the Council meeting on the 26th February will agree the final budget.

Addressing a rise in rural crime, with an investment in Rural Crime Advisors to work with the Community Safety Team and police is proposed. Also proposed is support for the UBUS service which provides a vital connection between isolated communities and public services. A pilot scheme for Customer Access Terminals in Southam and Alcester libraries will enable better communication with the District Council for those unable to come to the offices or who are not online.

It is important to enable residents to stay healthy and active. A Leisure Community Instructor is proposed to provide targeted support for people with long-term health conditions. Reducing the hire fees for the use of District Council owned public playing pitches to encourage more sporting activity is also proposed.

Addressing the Cost-of-Living Crisis remains a high priority so £250,000 is in the budget to continue to protect residents from the ongoing cost of living crisis, providing grants for those most in need of support with energy bills.

Addressing Climate Change is also a high priority. By investing we can reduce the energy costs of heating swimming pools and leisure centres and reduce their carbon footprint. We can also accelerate the change in converting our refuse collection vehicles from fossil fuels to alternative technologies.

As we prepare for the future, we need to plan ahead with a fund to deliver projects over the next three years. The plan is to improve the delivery of council services, stimulate growth in the local economy, deliver better affordable homes, particularly for young people, vulnerable families facing evictions, those who are homeless and victims of domestic abuse. We also want to support the voluntary sector, Town and Parish Councils and community organisations.